Four years ago, at the age of 18, I gave birth to my son via Ceserean. Only after the doctors overseeing me had me attempt nearly 30 hours of labor and pushing. I had been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia- a pre-eclamptic woman should never deliver vaginally.
A few days after my surgery, I was told I had fluid in my lungs, and had GREAT trouble breathing, however I wasn't given lasix to relieve the fluid.
I was instead discharged, only to return to my doctor the next morning because my breathing and fluid retention had gotten so bad that I was coughing up blood stained sputum.
I ended up being admitted and treated for congestive heart failure. My heart is still a little weak. And this condition may keep me from having more children- a great pain that hurts more than any of the rest.
Since it has been 4 years, is it still late to sue for medical malpractice? This happened in Ohio.
I had waited because I didn't think I had a case. and I was just grateful to be alive. -I had very high blood pressure when they induced me for labor. I should not have been pushing.
lisab
I suggest you call a lawyer usually first consultation is free if they want to take the case.
I had pre-eclampsia and deliever vaginally with no complications.
Why did you wait so long?
You should probably get a hold of medical records because after so many years they can be destroyed. (I want to say 5 but I think it might be 10).
tone
My daughter had pre-eclampsia and delivered vaginally with no complications after much longer time in labor. 30 hours is not unusual, nor does it necessarily have anything to do with the fluid in your lungs. Congestive heart failure is different than fluid in your lungs and not associated with the pre-eclampsia. You have a medical condition that you have had probably for longer than last 4 years and it just went undetected because younger people generally do not have as often as older people. I would further have to assume you had heart failure thus the fluid in your lungs, not the other way around. You condition will not prohibit more children, just put you at higher risk. Look for a high risk doctor. It probably is too late to sue and it doesn't sound like a strong case. You may not have known your condition, but it is your responsibility to provide as much info as possible and medical history. Generally it is 2 years to sue, and you sign a release prior to medical treatment. Talk to attorney if you still wish to persue.
ralphrepo_01
Not to burst you bubble, but your comment: "...a pre-eclamptic woman should never deliver vaginally." is not supported by medical literature. Further, your scenario sounds more related to Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, in which congestive heart failure may affect a woman during the pregnancy and for up to five months post partum. As for having more children thereafter, any woman diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is considered very high risk and are normally counseled against having more children (especially in light of your comment: "...My heart is still a little weak.")
That said, whether or not your situation constituted medical malpractice and is it beyond the statute of limitations, depends on the laws of your state. Some states allow cases to be filed within a time frame starting from discovery of malpractice. That is, you have x amount of time to file once you discovered that something that was done, was done improperly. Other states have time limits that start from the time of incident occurence. Like the other person stated, you would need to speak with a lawyer about your particular case and how it would be affected by Ohio's laws.
Finally, you're only 22 years old. To be told that you won't be able to have more children would be emotionally crushing. However, you should at a minimum, talk with your OB-GYN about all of your concerns. If you felt that Lasix should have been administered, or that a C-Section should have been done right away, etc. More importantly, if it really was PPCM, what are your chances of successfully bearing another child versus the known risks of trying to do so.
I wish you well, and good luck.
Ralph
Orignal From: Pregnancy/Delivery- medical malpractice lawsuit?
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